A BORDERS MSP is urging dog walkers to be careful when out and about during lambing season.

Rachael Hamilton, who represents the Conservatives for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, is advising Borderers to avoid walking through farm fields unnecessarily.

The Borders MSP said: “I know I share the love of walking and exploring our beautiful Borders, with many of my constituents.

“However, with lambing and calving in full swing please avoid walking across fields unnecessarily."

Dog owners can be fined up to £40,000, sent to prison, or both if their dog is found worrying or attacking livestock – which includes alpacas and game birds.

Mrs Hamilton is asking dog owners to enjoy the countryside responsibly by following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, avoid fields with livestock and to keep their dogs on the lead.

She added: “Do not take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young animals.

“Please obey signs that farmers will have put up to warn of fields where lambing is taking place.

“The countryside is still a working environment and we need to be mindful of that, at all times of the year”.